As we move into the season, FW25 menswear speaks to a trajectory of quiet, balanced, composed style. Style this season is about intention: peeling back the noise and presenting careful construction, thoughtful layering, and the nuanced details that elevate everyday pieces. It’s a season where texture, tone, and detail speak louder than logos or loud patterns. At The Helm, we’ve been tracking these trends closely, and the emerging looks across menswear promise a fresh perspective on classic style. In this blog, we’ll discuss the key themes, color stories, fabrics, footwear, and the brands that will keep Edmontonians fresh all season long.

KEY THEME 1:
STRONG & SILENT

One of the standout trends for FW25 is the minimalistic Strong & Silent look. As the name suggests, it’s understated in tone yet commanding in presence, proportion, and craftsmanship. It’s about crisp, stoic dressing, soft-toned neutrals, minimal checks, subtle patterns, and more solid pieces leading the way this season. This style highlights timeless elements that shine across all occasions. 

Brands like Zegna and Brunello Cucinelli set the standard for quiet luxury, using calm neutrals and elevating looks through key statement pieces. Meanwhile, Polo Ralph Lauren and RRL offer effortless, elevated staples pieces in moss, cream, and gentle earth tones, making this style approachable and versatile for any wardrobe. The days of floral and loud patterns are fading, proving that confidence doesn’t need to be loud to be seen. Fits this season favor balanced proportions from top to bottom, avoiding extremes of too slim or too baggy.

KEY THEME 2:
COWBOY RIDES ON

Western influence is still holding its ground this season, but in a more refined, elevated way. This isn’t just a Coachella moment—we see this style repeatedly worn by celebrities in everyday settings, proving its wearable beyond festival season. Think Wrangler-inspired shirts, denim with character, flannel overshirts, and belts that carry a Western essence without overpowering the outfit. It’s a look that can be woven into your everyday casual wardrobe with subtlety.

RRL Ralph Lauren continues to set the standard for Western-inspired menswear, delivering pieces that feel authentic and timeless. From heritage flannel overshirts to elevated workwear silhouettes, the brand captures rugged Americana with effortless precision. FRAME offers versatile pieces that translate this spirit into modern, wearable outfits. To complete the look, add Brunello Cucinelli calfskin boots to your rotation.

FW25 COLOR STORIES: The Palette of the Season

Color is the starting point for building a wardrobe that feels fresh and effortless. This season’s palette leans on elevated and approachable earth tones that bring versatility and create endless polished looks. Brown and navy lead the way, forming the foundation for FW25, while grey and cream act as supporting shades, adding subtle contrast, layering options, and softness to each style. Together, these hues bring you pieces that are easy to mix, layer, and wear across any occasion. They even work beautifully together, letting you build a wardrobe that feels cohesive and effortlessly put together.

PRIMARY TONE: BROWNS

It’s safe to say that brown is here to stay, and this is the perfect season to embrace it if you haven’t already. Brown is the perfect staple for fall—its rich, versatile, and full of depth. ZEGNA demonstrates how brown can work across varying looks this season. From deep chocolate outerwear and denim, to light brown overshirts and jackets. Brown’s adaptability across textures and fabrics makes it ideal for both tonal outfits and mixed looks.

If you’re aiming for an elevated look, the Boglioli Brown Check Wool K Jacket layered over the Dark Brown Wool Dress Pant shows how different shades of brown can work together—the dark trouser complements the jacket’s checks, keeping the outfit clean and balanced. For more casual, weather-ready looks, pieces from Stone Island’s Ghost Collection prove that brown can be worn effortlessly in relaxed settings. With an array of brown options this season, it’s easy to find a shade that fits your style.

PRIMARY TONE: NAVY

Navy has emerged as the modern alternative to black this season, offering depth without harshness. If your wardrobe leans heavily on black swapping in dark navy is an easy way to freshen things up. It pairs effortlessly with earth tones, greys, and creams, making it a versatile base for both polished and relaxed looks.

This season, navy is showing up well beyond formal wear—we’re seeing it in outerwear, knitwear, and casual staples, proving it can anchor everything from sophisticated to casual outfits. Paul & Shark illustrates the versatility of navy: swap a black pant for a dark navy pant, or add texture with a navy corduroy overshirt or navy knit wweater. or layering or wearing alone, Gran Sasso offers a variety of navy knits in cashmere or wool, perfect with denim or under a jacket for added depth.

SUPPORTING SHADES: Grey and Cream

While brown and navy form the foundation of FW25, grey and cream provide subtle contrast and layering versatility. These shades act as neutral anchors, softening outfits, bridging tonal looks, and adding depth without overpowering the main palette. Both are easy to mix with primary colors, making them essential for building a cohesive, effortless wardrobe this season.

GREY

Grey remains a timeless and versatile shade for FW25, offering a soft, neutral base that pairs seamlessly with both browns and navy. From light heather wool and cashmere sweaters to charcoal trousers, grey adds understated sophistication to any outfit. For a refined look, layer a grey cashmere crewneck over navy chinos, or opt for a grey flannel overshirt with earth-toned trousers for a casual, polished vibe. Brands like Gran Sasso, Brunello Cucinelli, and Boglioli offer a range of grey knits, overshirts and jackets in elevated fabrics, ideal for effortless layering throughout the season.

For pants, FRAME’s L’Homme Grey Slim Jean works perfectly for a casual outfit, while the Damascena Charcoal Grey Trouser delivers a more refined, tailored option.

CREAM

Cream can feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the easiest shades to layer and bridge across FW25 wardrobes. As an underpinning, whether a lightweight knit, cardigan, or sweater, it adds warmth and lightness without overpowering darker tones. Worn under jackets or over earth-toned trousers, cream creates a subtle contrast that elevates any outfit.

Brunello Cucinelli and Ralph Lauren Purple Label exemplify how well cream works in practice. The Brunello Cucinelli Cream Vanise Sweater is demonstrates how the heather grey chevron pattern adds softness and depth to the cream base. Similarily, the Purple Label Grey Check White Sport Shirt adds depth if paired with a dark grey trouser. The cream Polo Bear Cashmere Sweater is also a standout this season, bridging light and dark tones effortlessly through its playful print.

KEY FABRICS

FW25 emphasizes natural fibers and rich textures, moving away from flat, uniform materials. Wool, cashmere, and merino remain staples, providing warmth, comfort, and understated luxury. Brands like Brunello Cucinelli, Paul & Shark explore corduroy in varying colors, while Stone Island continues to focus on technical outerwear with a contemporary streetwear edge, featuring nylon, wool, and cotton. Overshirts this season come in fabrics such as cashmere, silk, wool, cotton, and nylon, often with varying chest pocket styles for subtle versatility. These fabrics and textures provide the foundation for layered, effortless FW25 looks that balance style with comfort.

KEY FOOTWEAR

FW25 footwear continues the season’s focus on rich browns and versatile earthy tones, designed to complement the deeper palette seen throughout the collection. ZEGNA and Brunello Cucinelli lean into these warmer shades with styles that transition effortlessly from day to night, pairing just as well with casual looks as they do with refined tailoring. Tod’s remains a go-to for understated sophistication, offering timeless silhouettes in shades of brown and blue that work across every occasion.